Where to stay in Toronto: the best areas, with a walk through each
6 areas compared. Watch the streets before you book.
Toronto is a big, diverse city of neighbourhoods, most of them linked by streetcars and the subway. Downtown, between the lake and Bloor Street, holds almost everything visitors come for, so staying in or near it saves time.
These are the six areas most visitors choose between. For each you'll find who it suits, who should look elsewhere, what is on foot, and a walk through its streets so you can see the atmosphere before you book.
The best areas to stay in Toronto at a glance
| Area | Best for | Vibe | Getting around |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entertainment District | First-timers, Events, Nightlife | Theatres, stadiums, the CN Tower and busy King Street | Subway at St Andrew and Union; streetcars on King Street |
| Yorkville | Luxury, Shopping, Museums | Designer boutiques, galleries and leafy Victorian streets | Subway at Bay and Bloor-Yonge; 10 minutes to downtown |
| Old Town & Distillery District | Food lovers, History, Couples | Victorian brick streets, a famous market and a car-free heritage quarter | Streetcars on King Street; walk to Union Station |
| Queen West | Young travellers, Design lovers, Nightlife | Independent shops, street art and a lively bar scene | Streetcars on Queen Street to downtown |
| Kensington Market & Chinatown | Budget, Food, Multicultural | Vintage shops, global food and one of North America's biggest Chinatowns | Streetcars on Spadina and Dundas; walk to downtown |
| Harbourfront | Families, Waterfront, Island trips | Lakeside promenades, ferries and summer festivals | Streetcar from Union Station; ferries to the Toronto Islands |
1.Entertainment District
- First-timers
- Events
- Nightlife
Walk through Entertainment District: video by TORONTO WALK & DRIVE on YouTube.
The heart of downtown, around King Street West, with theatres, restaurants, the CN Tower, the Rogers Centre and the arena. It has the biggest choice of hotels and is close to Union Station and the airport train.
Stay here if
- It's your first visit and you want the main sights on foot
- You're going to a game, concert or show
- You want restaurants and bars around you
Skip it if
- You want a quiet, residential neighbourhood
- Late-night crowds on King Street West would bother you
Within a 10-minute walk
CN Tower · Ripley's Aquarium · Rogers Centre · Roy Thomson Hall · TIFF Lightbox · Union Station
2.Yorkville
- Luxury
- Shopping
- Museums
Walk through Yorkville: video by Won Way Ticket on YouTube.
Toronto's most upmarket neighbourhood, a former village of Victorian houses turned into designer boutiques, galleries and terraces, next to the Royal Ontario Museum and the Bloor Street shops.
Stay here if
- You want a refined, calm and safe base
- Shopping and fine dining are priorities
- You'd like the Royal Ontario Museum on foot
Skip it if
- You're on a budget
- You want nightlife and the lakefront nearby
Within a 10-minute walk
Royal Ontario Museum · Bloor Street shopping · Yorkville Village · Gardiner Museum · Queen's Park · University of Toronto
3.Old Town & Distillery District
- Food lovers
- History
- Couples
Walk through Old Town & Distillery District: video by 4K Canada Walking Tours on YouTube.
The oldest part of the city, around St Lawrence Market, one of the world's great food markets, and the Distillery District, a cobbled pedestrian quarter of Victorian industrial buildings now full of galleries and restaurants.
Stay here if
- Food markets and historic streets appeal to you
- You'd like a calmer base close to downtown
- You plan to visit the Christmas market in the Distillery District
Skip it if
- You want lots of big hotels to choose from
- You'd rather be on a subway line
Within a 10-minute walk
St Lawrence Market · Distillery District · Flatiron (Gooderham) Building · St James Cathedral · Berczy Park · Canary District
4.Queen West
- Young travellers
- Design lovers
- Nightlife
Walk through Queen West: video by Johnny Strides on YouTube.
One of Toronto's coolest strips, running west from downtown past Trinity Bellwoods Park, with independent fashion and design shops, galleries, street art and plenty of bars and restaurants.
Stay here if
- You want a creative, local neighbourhood
- You love independent shopping and street art
- You'd like bars and restaurants on your doorstep
Skip it if
- You want to walk to the CN Tower and lakefront
- You need lots of hotel choice
Within a 10-minute walk
Trinity Bellwoods Park · Graffiti Alley · Ossington Avenue · Queen Street West shops · Art Gallery of Ontario · Kensington Market
5.Kensington Market & Chinatown
- Budget
- Food
- Multicultural
Walk through Kensington Market & Chinatown: video by Ambient Wanderlust on YouTube.
Two neighbouring districts full of character: Kensington Market's colourful houses, vintage shops and food stalls from around the world, and the busy Chinatown along Spadina Avenue. The Art Gallery of Ontario is next door.
Stay here if
- You want great, affordable food
- You love colourful, offbeat neighbourhoods
- You're on a budget
Skip it if
- You want polished streets and big hotels
- You'd be uncomfortable with a gritty, busy atmosphere
Within a 10-minute walk
Kensington Market · Spadina Avenue Chinatown · Art Gallery of Ontario · Grange Park · Baldwin Village · Augusta Avenue
6.Harbourfront
- Families
- Waterfront
- Island trips
Walk through Harbourfront: video by Lvfree Adventures on YouTube.
The lakefront strip below downtown, with a long promenade, cultural centres, marinas and the ferries to the Toronto Islands. It's calm, family-friendly and at its best in summer.
Stay here if
- You want lake views and waterfront walks
- You're travelling with children
- You plan to spend time on the Toronto Islands
Skip it if
- You're visiting in winter, when the waterfront is cold and quiet
- You want nightlife and neighbourhood streets
Within a 10-minute walk
Harbourfront Centre · Toronto Islands ferry · Queens Quay promenade · Sugar Beach · CN Tower · HTO Park
How to choose
For a first visit, the Entertainment District or the Harbourfront puts the CN Tower, the lake and downtown on foot. Yorkville suits luxury and museums, the Old Town suits food lovers, and Queen West and Kensington suit travellers looking for a local, creative city.
Getting around
The UP Express train links Pearson airport with Union Station in about 25 minutes. Within the city, the subway and streetcars accept contactless payment and Presto cards.
Seasons
Summer brings festivals, patios and island trips, while winters are cold; the underground PATH network links many downtown hotels, offices and shops, which helps in bad weather.
Where to stay in Toronto: common questions
What is the best area to stay in Toronto for first-timers?
The Entertainment District, close to the CN Tower, Union Station, theatres and the waterfront.
Where should families stay in Toronto?
The Harbourfront, for the lake, the island ferries and the aquarium, or Yorkville, near the Royal Ontario Museum.
Which Toronto neighbourhood is best for food?
The Old Town around St Lawrence Market, and Kensington Market and Chinatown for affordable food from around the world.
Where should I stay in Toronto for nightlife?
King Street West in the Entertainment District, and Queen West and Ossington Avenue for bars with a local crowd.
Is it easy to get to Toronto from the airport?
Yes. The UP Express train runs from Pearson airport to Union Station downtown in about 25 minutes.
Areas change over time. Check recent reviews and the exact location of your hotel before you book. Hotel links may earn Walking Atlas a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Keep exploring Toronto
The Toronto city guide has more 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
Toronto city guide →